Do advocates give briefs to attorneys?
Asked by: Fredrick Langosh | Last update: February 3, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (4 votes)
Yes, in many legal systems (especially Commonwealth countries like South Africa, India, etc.), advocates receive their case instructions, called "briefs," from instructing attorneys, who act as the client's primary contact, preparing the case and then "briefing" the advocate for specialized court representation, though advocates in some regions can now take briefs directly from the public if qualified.
Do lawyers file briefs?
A brief is a written argument submitted to the court. Lawyers often prepare briefs which highlight and clarify certain information or provide legal comparisons in an attempt to persuade the courtroom to rule in favor of that lawyer's client.
Who is more powerful, an advocate or a lawyer?
Who is more powerful, a lawyer or an advocate? An advocate holds more authority in legal proceedings, as they can represent clients in court, unlike a lawyer who may only provide legal advice or work in non-litigation roles. Therefore, advocates have greater professional standing in judicial matters.
What is the most common complaint brought against lawyers?
The most common complaints against lawyers center on neglect, lack of communication (unreturned calls/emails, no updates), and fee issues (excessive, unclear, or improper billing), often stemming from poor client management and unmet expectations. Clients frequently feel uninformed, ignored, or surprised by costs, leading to formal grievances about missed deadlines, lack of transparency, or attorneys failing to act in the client's best interest, says Lalegalethics.org and ABA Journal.
What are the responsibilities of an advocate?
An advocate's duties involve zealous, ethical representation of clients while upholding the law and integrity of the court, including providing honest advice, maintaining confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, ensuring dignified conduct, promoting access to justice, and not misleading the court or suppressing evidence, balancing client interests with duties to the legal system.
How to Brief a Case
What are the 3 C's of advocacy?
The "3 Cs of advocacy" vary by context but often refer to Courteous, Candid, Concise (legal), Collaborate, Connect, Communicate (general/community), or Coding, Community, Content (developer advocacy), emphasizing professionalism, truthfulness, clarity, teamwork, and communication skills for effective influence.
What does an advocate actually do?
An advocate supports and speaks up for the rights, needs, and interests of individuals or groups, helping them navigate complex systems (like legal or healthcare) by providing information, emotional support, and resources, ensuring their voice is heard, and empowering them to make informed decisions or challenge unfair situations. They act as a liaison, ensuring vulnerable people get fair treatment, and can range from professional roles (like victim or court advocates) to individuals speaking for a cause.
What scares lawyers the most?
Fear of Being a Failure
For some lawyers, being a failure means unsuccessfully defending a defendant at trial. For others, it might mean structuring a deal or trust incorrectly to the harm of their client. Regardless of the specifics, a fear of failure can become so overwhelming that it can cause failure itself.
What is the B word for lawyer?
The "B word" for a lawyer, especially in the UK and Commonwealth countries, is Barrister, which refers to a specialist lawyer who argues cases in higher courts, distinct from a solicitor, though other terms like Attorney, Counsel, or even the pejorative "ambulance chaser" can be used, while "Esquire" (Esq.) is a title for any licensed lawyer in the U.S.
What is the hardest case to win in court?
The hardest cases to win in court often involve high emotional stakes, like crimes against children or sexual assault, where jurors struggle with bias; complex, voluminous evidence, such as white-collar fraud; and defenses that challenge societal norms, like an insanity plea, which faces high scrutiny and conflicting expert testimony. Cases with weak physical evidence, uncooperative witnesses (like in sex crimes), or those involving unpopular defendants (e.g., child abusers) are particularly challenging for defense attorneys.
What is the hardest type of lawyer to become?
There isn't one single "hardest" lawyer, as difficulty varies by practice area and individual aptitude, but criminal defense (especially high-stakes cases like murder or crimes against minors) and complex corporate/white-collar litigation are often cited for their emotional toll, intricate evidence, long hours, and high stakes. Achieving entry into top-tier law firms with extremely high academic requirements is also exceptionally difficult, rivaling professional sports tryouts.
Is it better to have a lawyer or attorney?
Neither is inherently "better"; they describe different qualifications, with an attorney being a specific type of lawyer who is licensed to represent clients in court, while a lawyer is a broader term for someone with a law degree who can offer general advice but not necessarily practice in court. For courtroom representation, you need an attorney; for basic legal guidance or document prep, a lawyer suffices.
What are the disadvantages of being an advocate?
There will be push-back from parties who don't want to work with you, don't want the issue you are advocating for raised or feel threatened that they'll lose funds if you gain them. However, there may also be more serious issues to address such as conflicts of interest, malpractice or misappropriation of funds.
What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?
The hardest questions for a lawyer aren't about legal facts, but about deeply personal situations, like "How can I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?" or asking for a brutally honest "What is the likely worst-case outcome for my case, and what are my real chances of winning?", pushing beyond generic advice to uncover hidden challenges, their true battlefield experience, and if they're just sugarcoating the difficult realities of your specific legal problem.
What is a good reason to brief a case?
Deciding what to include in your brief— and in how much detail—can be difficult at first, but this process helps to develop your analytical skills and judgment. Second, briefing will help you to prepare for class. After briefing a case, you will understand and remember the information better.
What not to do as an advocate?
Don't be argumentative. Speak calmly to avoid putting the individual you're advocating to on the defensive. Do ask the member's position on your issues or other issues. Don't confront, threaten, pressure or beg.
What is a derogatory name for a lawyer?
Shysters and Ambulance Chasers
More modern terms used to describe lawyers include terms like “shyster” and “ambulance chaser.” These derogatory terms come from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Can you call yourself a lawyer before passing the bar?
Holding yourself out as an attorney before you are licensed falls under the category of “unauthorized practice of law”1 and is typically considered grounds for a character and fitness inquiry.
What is a word for a shady lawyer?
pettifogger. A sneaky, underhanded lawyer is a pettifogger. If your neighbor hires an unscrupulous quack to sue you, you might call his attorney a pettifogger.
How do you spot a bad lawyer?
Signs of a bad attorney include poor communication (unanswered calls/emails), missed deadlines, unpreparedness, unethical behavior (encouraging lies, mishandling funds), vague or excessive billing, making unilateral decisions, and pressuring you to settle without good reason. A good lawyer should be communicative, ethical, competent, and advocate effectively for your best interests, not just their convenience.
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
What personality type do most lawyers have?
Most lawyers lean towards Introverted (I), Thinking (T), and Judging (J) types, often falling into categories like ISTJ, INTJ, ESTJ, or ENTP, valuing logic, order, skepticism, and problem-solving over pure sociability, though some thrive on persuasion and leadership, showing adaptability across different legal roles, with strong analytical skills being key across the board.
What is the minimum salary of an advocate?
A starting lawyer's income could range between ₹3 lakh and ₹8 lakh annually.
Why might a person need an advocate?
If you find it difficult to be fully involved in decisions that affect your life and do not have a family member or friend who can speak up for you, you may find an advocate useful. An advocate is a person who can support you to express your needs and wishes when having assessments and planning support.
What degree do I need to be an advocate?
To become an advocate (lawyer), you generally need an undergraduate degree, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a recognized law school, and must pass the state bar exam, though specific requirements vary by country and state, with some paths allowing specialized non-JD degrees or apprenticeships for certain legal roles. The core path involves 4 years undergrad + 3 years J.D., plus bar exams and potentially character & fitness reviews, focusing on skills like logical reasoning and critical thinking.